2010 Hillsdale College Volleyball Media Guide

AVCA Preseason Division II Top 25 poll

2010 Hillsdale College Volleyball Schedule

2010 Hillsdale College Volleyball Roster

August 18, 2010 - It would be tough for any team to top winning its first-ever conference championship on its own home court. That's exactly what the Hillsdale College volleyball team accomplished last season, yet going into 2010, the coaches and players are confident they can improve upon that lofty level of success in 2010.

The Chargers rang up a 24-8 record in 2009, and along the way, won their third GLIAC South Division title in the past four years, and won their first-ever conference tournament championship. That title was won in thrilling fashion, 3-2, over Saginaw Valley State in a fifth set that needed a 17-15 score to determine a winner.

Hillsdale went on to win its second-ever NCAA Division II postseason match, by an identical 3-2 score, over conference rival Northern Michigan, before losing to eventual regional champ Indianapolis, 3-2, on Nov. 20, 2009.

Every player that was on the court for that regional semifinal loss to the Greyhounds is back on the roster this season, in addition to four talented freshman who improve the talent and depth at every position in the lineup.

Hillsdale is opening the 2010 season ranked among the nation's best teams. The Chargers are ranked 20th in the AVCA Division II Preseason Top 25 poll, the only GLIAC team to be in the preseason poll. Hillsdale is also the only team to be ranked in this year's preseason poll after finishing the 2009 season unranked.

Senior captain Sydney Dow (Jonesville, Mich.) is the reigning GLIAC Libero of the Year, and earned All-GLIAC and All-Region honors last year. The only other senior on the roster is explosive outside hitter Amanda Bigney, (Cedar Springs, Mich.) who returns for her third season as a starter.

The seven-member junior class is simply loaded, both in terms of numbers and talent, and just halfway through their careers, this class is as accomplished as any that has ever come through the Charger program.

Ashlee Crowder (Jenison, Mich.) and Clara Leutheuser (Hillsdale, Mich.) were named Third-Team All-American by the AVCA following last season. Crowder ranked second in the GLIAC in kills in 2009 (391), while Leutheuser led the conference in total blocks (153), and form a deadly duo in the front row.

Setter Apryl Schmucker (Inman, Kan.) took a big step forward in her first season as the starter, generating 1,139 assists while being named Second-Team All-GLIAC. Defensive specialists Morgan Podkul (LaPorte, Ind.) and Brogan Wells (West Bloomfield, Mich.) contribute outstanding serving, passing and leadership for the team.

Outside/right-side hitters Rachel VanderWall (East Kentwood, Mich.) and Amanda Geelhoed (Lowell, Mich.) are each fully recovered from injuries earlier in their careers and provide depth that few teams in the GLIAC can match up with.

Sophomore Lauren Grover (Columbus, Ohio) helped make the middle hitter position a source of strength for the Chargers last year, getting 99 kills while ranking second on the squad in total blocks. Sophomore Kaleigh Shuster (Dorr, Mich.) is an outstanding athlete, who can play multiple positions and gives head coach Chris Gravel terrific flexibility with his lineups.

The Four Freshman were a popular musical group in the 1950s, but the Chargers will roll out their own version of a group by the same name in 2010.

Along the front row, Lindsay Kostrzewa (Traverse City, Mich.) and Bekah Draves (Milan, Mich.) provide Hillsdale two more potent offensive weapons. Sydney Lenhart (Temperance, Mich.) and Caitlin Kopmeyer (Troy, Mich.) give the Chargers two more players who can set, serve and play outstanding defense. The presence of these four freshmen give Gravel a near-limitless amount of combinations that can play on the court and still be well-balanced between defensive prowess and offensive skill.

The season gets off to a challenging start for the Chargers, taking on 20-win teams Lock Haven, Mercyhurst and Minnesota State-Mankato in the season-opening tournament at Ferris State University Sept. 3-4.

Two new schools join the GLIAC in 2010, Lake Erie College and Ohio Dominican, and Charger fans will get a chance to see both teams in person. Hillsdale hosts LEC on Sunday, Sept. 12, while the Panthers visit Hillsdale for the first time on Saturday, Oct. 23.